BART issues statement on service disruption due to computer problem

BART issues statement on service disruption due to computer problem

BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost issued the following statement:

"Yesterday BART implemented a planned infrastructure upgrade to a network server. 12 hours later this change began to impact the exchange of information between servers, which affected the performance of the computer system the Operations Control Center relies on to monitor train service. Eventually the central computer went off line, which caused the last trains of the night to be delayed upwards of 2 hours due to the need for Train Operators and maintenance crews to manually move and lock switches.

BART worked through the night to identify the root of the computer problem and tracked it to the upgrade made the day before. The server was returned to the original configuration and the problem was fixed. Limited train service resumed at 7:18 am and reached full service within 90 minutes.

BART engineers are investigating the technical nuances that caused the problems and will make any needed fixes to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

At no time was train safety compromised. We apologize for the inconvenience to our late-night riders and for the late opening this morning."